Tackling dummy suspension



A. B. cUMMlNs 3,281,148

TACKLING DUMMY SUSPENS ION Oct. 25, 1966 Filed June 4, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l NI INVENTOR.

fr/E50 UNM/ms Oct. 25, 1966 A. B. cUMMlNs 31,281,148

TACKLING DUMMY SUSPENSION Filed June 4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: /SzF/Pfz: 5. CUM/WNS Wggmgw @rra/mns Oct. 25, 1966 A. B. cUMMxNs 3,231,148

TACKLING DUMMY SUSPENSION Filed June 4, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1NVENTOR. /F/SED 5. 60N/WM5 Oct. 25, 1966 A. B. cuMMlNs TACKLING DUMMY SUSPENSION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 4, 1963 l Jam.:

United States Patent O 3,281,148 TACKLIN G DUMMY SUSPENSION Alfred B. Cummins, 401 Miles Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio Filed .lune 4, 1963, Ser. No. 285,420 17 Claims. (Cl. 273-55) This invention relates to football practice and conditioning equipment and more particularly to a suspension apparatus for suspending a tackling dummy.

It is common knowledge that in the training of football players, tackling dummies are universally used to represent an opponent for the purpose of perfecting the techniques of tackling and blocking and to otherwise condition the players to withstand violent body contacts. However, in many ways a suspended dummy is unsatisfactory as a substitute for an opposing player. For example, a dummy is merely an inert mass suspended from its upper end whose reaction to a charging player is completely different from that of another player. The dummy can only swing out of the way when struck, and it presents none of the active resistance of a live opponent. To properly block an opposing player, it is necessary that the blocker direct the force of his block solidly against the opponent and then follow through in the same direction of such manner that the opponent is knocked completely off of his feet. An improper block or a glancing blow will usually fail to stop the opponent or to completely upset him.

Generally, the object of this invention is to provide suspension apparatus for suspending a tackling dummy in such manner that the dummy will react to a charging football player in substantially the same way as a live opponent A more specic object of the Vinvention is to provide such suspension apparatus having means transferring to a suspended dummy a resistance to free swinging motion similar to the resistance afforded by an opposing player.

Another more specic object of the invention is to provide a suspension apparatus having the above characteristics wherein means are provided for effecting an initial resistance which is effective at the moment of contact with a suspended dummy and for providing a lesser, follow-through resistance as the dummy swings away from a charging player.

Still another object is to provide, in the above apparatus, means for varying the initial resistance of the dummy and the follow-through resistance.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus having the above features wherein means are provided for allowing the dummy to roll or bounce away from a player who strikes the dummy improperly or with a glancing blow.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the above type wherein the resistance means automatically returns to a ready or normal position after each practice block or tackle in readiness for further use.

Still another object .is to provide the above suspension apparatus having means for indicating when a correct block and follow-through has been executed.

Another object is to provide suspension apparatus of the above type including an improved support frame adapted to absorb and distribute the force of a charging player in such manner that the frame remains stable in use.

Further objects and many advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following description of two embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 `is a side elevation of a rst embodiment of the tackling dummy suspension apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the suspension apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, horizontal section taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, horizontal section taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. l;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. l showing the movable portions of the apparatus in relatively different positions;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an apparatus. according to this invention showing a plurality of tackling dummies suspended from a single support means;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the tackling dummy suspension apparatus of this invention, partialy broken away;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. l1 is a front elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. l2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional detail taken along the line 12 12 of FIG. l1; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of certain linkage of the apparatus shown in a park position.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. l and 2, an upright frame or support means is shown generally at 10 comprising a pair of spaced, parallel, horizontally disposed bars 11 and 12 having vertically disposed legs 11 and 12 respectively at the ends thereof. In the form of the invention herein illustrated the bars and legs are made of steel tubing of substantial diameter and wall thickness, but it will be understood that any suitable strong material may be used. The legs 11 and 12 are anchored in a suitable base means 13 which may represent the ground or a suitable heavy base resting upon the ground.

A pai-r of spaced, parallel, U-shaped beams 15 are connected across the horizontal bars 11 and 12 at right angles to said bars. Like directed end portions of said beams a-re secured to the bar 12 by brackets 13 and nut and bolt assemblies 19; andthe intermediate portions of said beams are similarly secured to the bar 11 by `brackets 16 and nut and bolt assemblies 17. Substantial portions of the beams 15 are thus canti-levered in what will hereinafter be referred to as the forward direction from the support means 10 to provide boom means from which a tackling dummy can be suspended.

The U-shaped beams 15 are disposed with their webs 20 adjacent to each other and with their anges 21 directed laterally in opposite directions (FIG. 4). Adjacent to the forwardly directed, distal ends of said beams there are provided a pair of horizontally spaced bolts 22 which project respectively through pairs of suitably aligned apertures in the webs 20 and are secured to said webs by nuts 23. Spacer sleeves 24 are telescoped over the bolts 22 between said webs to maintain the beams 15 spaced from each other.

A large, vertically disposed eye bolt 25 projects loosely between the bolts 22 with an eye 26 thereof directed downwardly. Said eye bolt projects upwardly above the beams 15 a substantial distance, the upper end portion thereof being threaded to receive a nut 27. A coil spring 28 is telescoped over the eye bolt 25 and interposed between the beams 15 and the nut 27, the upper end of said spring bearing against an enlarged washer 28a, and the lower end of said spring bearing against an apertured plate 2817 which is, in turn, bridged across the upper surfaces of the parallel beams 15.

A heavy tackling dummy 30 is suspended from the eye 26 of the eye bolt 25 by means of short cables 31 which are threaded Athrough said eye. The upper portion of the dummy 30 is preferably encircled by a jacket 32 the ends of which are connected together by lacing 33 and which is maintained against downward movement by lacing 34 across the top of the dummy.

A short distance rearwardly of the rearmost bolt Z2, the webs carry a third bolt 36 which projects through suitably aligned apertures in said webs and is secured by a nut 37. The bolt 36 carries a sleeve 38 which is disposed between the webs 20, and a channel shaped arm 40 is loosely pivoted adjacent to its upper end upon said sleeve 3S. Suitably aligned apertures are provided in the anges of the U-shaped arm 40 which said apertures are larger than the diameter of the sleeve 38 whereby to afford a loose pivotal tit. It will also be noted in FIG. 4 that the distance between the webs 2@ is greater than the width of the arm 40 whereby said arm is able to pivot or tilt laterally relative to the beams 15 to a limited extent. As seen in side elevation in FIG. l, the lowermost end of the arm 40 has an obliquely forwardly 'angled extension 41 which carries an extension bar 42 secured between its flanges in any suitable manner such as by bolts or rivets 43. The upper end of the arm 4G has a rearwardly obliquely angled extension 44 which projects upwardly above the parallel beams 15.

The distal end of the extension bar 42 carries an arcuately shaped backup plate 46 which is shaped to conform to the 4outer surface of the dummy 30 or its protective jacket 32. The backup plate 46 is disposed on the rearwardly directed side of the dummy and is provided wi-th a pair of rearwardly extending mounting brackets 47 which are provided with a plurality of pairs of aligned apertures 47a. The distal end of the extension bar 42 is pivoted between the mounting brackets 47 by means of a pivot pin 48 which extends through a pair of aligned apertures 47a and a suitable aperture in said extension bar. It will be noted that the backup plate 46 is vertically adjustable to a limited extent by changing the pivot pin 48 to -a different pair of aligned apertures 47a. As best shown in FIG. 6, the forwardly directed, concave surface of said backup plate is preferably provided with cushioning means or padding 49.

The arm is normally angled in a rearward direction and is maintained at such angle by a pair of channel shaped links 50 and 51. The link 50 is loosely pivoted between the beams 15 adjacent to the horizontal bar l1 by means -of a suitable nut and bolt assembly 52. One end of the link 51 is pivoted between the flanges of the arm 40, at one of a plurality of pairs of aligned apertures 53 of said arm, by means of a pivot pin 54. The link 51 extends obliquely upwardly and rearwardly, in its normal position, slightly beyond and in front of the nut and bolt assembly 52 which pivots one end of the link 50; and the opposite end of said link 50 extends forwardly and downwardly to a medial poi-nt along the link 51. The channel shaped link 50 is larger than the link 51 whereby said link 51 can nest within the link S0. The lower-most end portion of the link 50 and the medial portion of the link 51 are provided with .suitably aligned apertures adapted to receive a nut and bolt assembly 55 which pivots them together and forms a straightened knee joint therebetween. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, it will be noted that the links 50 and 51 are necessarily disposed at slight angles relative to each other because the link 51 extends in front of the nut and bolt assembly 52 whereby said link 51 cannot nest parallel within the link 5t). Means are provided for increasing this angularity between the two links in the form of an adjustment screw 56 which is threaded through the web of the link 50 intermediate the nut and bolt assemblys 52 and 55. Said adjustment screw has a generally downwardly extending handle for turning the screw and a lock nut 58 for maintaining it in any adjusted position. It will be readily understood that by turning the handle 57, the adjustment screw 56 can be moved against the web of the link 51 causing said links to pivot relative lto each other about the nut and bolt assembly 55 thereby increasing their angularity.

The link 51 is resiliently maintained in the position shown in FIG. 1 by a return spring 66 which is connected at one end to a longitudinally projecting lip 61 of said link 51 and at the other end thereof to a pin 62 disposed in one of a plurality of pairs of aligned apertures 63 in the webs 20 of the beams 15. The pairs of apertures 63 are spaced longitudinally along the beams l5 whereby by moving the pin 62 forwardly or rearwardly in said apertures, the tension -of the return spring 6) can be varied. All of the linkage, including the arm 40 and the links 50 and 51, normally tend toward the position shown in FIG. l by the pull lof gravity and are further resiliently urged toward that position by the return spring 60.

Referring now to FIGS. l and 7, the upper Iarm extension 44 provides means :for mounting a piston and rcylinder type shock absorber 65 which may be used to slow the return movement of the linkage from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 1. In the tirst form of the invention illustrated, a base plate 66 is mounted across the upper surfaces of the beams l5. Said base plate carries opstanding brackets 67 by means of which one end of the shock absorber 65 is pivotally mounted. Said shock absorber has a piston rod 65a which is pivot-ally connected at its distal end to the dist-al end of the upper extension 44.4 When the tackling dummy is struck and swung rearwardly, it pivots the arm 40 in a ccunterclockwise direction as illustrated thereby extending the piston rod 65a out of the cylinder of the shock absorber 65. Sudden return movement of the linkage by the return spring 60 is then prevented by said shock absorber which cushions this return movement.

The base plate 66 also carries audible signal means such as a bell or gong 70 which is mounted to said base plate by means of a ilexible stem 71 and is disposed in the arcuate path of the upper portion of the link 51. The bell 70 is positioned at the optimum point whereby it will be struck by the link 51 as illustrated in FIG. 7 when a practicing player has properly executed a blocking movement against the tackling dummy 30, including a proper follow-through motion. Striking of the bell or gong will, of course, create an audible sound which will indicate to the player and his coach that a proper blocking action has been executed.

In use of the tackling dummy suspension apparatus of this invention, the tackling dummy Sil and the linkage carrying the backup plate 46 are initially in the positions shown in FIG. l. A player then charges the dummy in either a tackling or a blocking motion, thereby causing said dummy to swing in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated or rearwardly toward the support means 1t). Because of the extremely obtuse angle between the links 50 and 51, there is initially a substantial resistance to the moving player until such time as the knee joint represented at the nut and bolt assembly 55 is broken and the links 50 and 51 are swung clockwise and counterclockwise respectively. However, even after the knee joint is substantially bent, there is still a resistance to further rearward movement of the tackling dummy 30 in excess of that alforded by its own weight. This excess resistance is effected by the weight of the linkage and its normal resistance to folding upwardly and the return spring 6b acting upon the linkage through the link 51. The initial resistance which is necessary to break the joint between the links 50 and Sl is substantially in excess of the resistance effected by the linkage and the spring 60 and represents the initial jolt or impact which a player meets upon initial sudden contact with an opponent. The linkage and the return spring 60 provide a substitute for the lesser resistance which the blocker would normally meet during his follow-through motion which is designed to effect a complete upset of the opposing player. Thus the suspension apparatus of this invention causes the tackled or blocked dummy to react in a manner which is substantially similar to the reaction of a live football player.

As herenbefore noted, the upper end of the arm 40 and the link 50 are loosely pivoted upon the bolt 36 and the nut and bolt assembly 52 respectively and are loosely maintained between the webs 20 of the U-shaped beams 15. This looseness in the recited connections allows a substantial amount of lateral movement of the lower end of the linkage and of the backup plate 46 carried thereby. The result is that if a player strikes the dummy in an improper manner or with only -a glancing blow, the entire dummy and linkage will shift laterally and the dummy will be bounced or rolled away from the player in the manner of a successfully evading opponent. Only when the dummy is struck properly and the player executes the -proper follow-through will the linkage normally move to the position of FIG. 7.

The tackling dummy suspension apparatus of this invention is readily adaptable for practice by football players of varying sizes and degrees of maturity. One obvious variation would be to vary the size or weight of the tackling dummy 30. Lightweight dummies may Abe used for boys of school age whereas the heaviest type dummies would be preferable for the training of college and professional football players. Additionally, the initial resistance afforded by the 4angled links 50 and 51, and to some extent the follow-through resistance, may be increased by moving the pivot pin 54 upwardly to a higher pair of apertures 53 in the arm 40. Raising of the pivot pin 54 brings it more nearly on a level with the pivot at the nut and bolt assembly 55 thereby increasing the resistance of the lower end of the -arm 40 to swinging rearwardly under said pivot to cause the link 51 to be pivoted n a counterclockwise direction. The height of the dummy above the ground is also adjustable by turning the nut 27 on the upper end of the eye bolt 2S. And as hereinbefore noted, there are provided means for vertical adjustment of the backup plate 46, means for varying the angularity between the link 50 and the link 51 (adjustment screw 56) and means for varying the follow-through resistance (return spring 6() and pin 62).

Referring now to FIG. 8, the horizontally disposed bars 11 and 12 may be of such length as to afford the mounting thereon of a plurality of tackling dummies. The use of several tackling dummies 30 in connection with 4a single support means enables the players to practice coordinated blocking of a number of opposing players or to otherwise practice maneuvers involved in complicated plays.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate the second embodiment of this invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in the general construction of the upright frame or support means. The specific arrangement of the dummy suspension and resistance backup means rem-ains substantially the same in both embodiments.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 9, 10, and 1l, the second embodiment of the tackling dummy suspension comprises an upright frame or support means from which the tackling dummy 30 is suspended. Said support means has a horizontally disposed I-beam 81 supported at the ends thereof by downwardly diverging pairs of legs 82-83 and 84-85. A pair of right angularly disposed, channel shaped beams 86 are mounted to the upper surface of the I-beam S1 intermediate its ends. The beams 86 perform the same function as the beams 15 of the first embodiment, said beams 86 being disposed with their webbed portions adjacent to each other and slightly spaced apart. The beams 86 are disposed with a relatively short portion thereof projecting forwardly of the I-beam 81 and a substantially longer portion thereof projecting rearwardly of said I-beam. The legs 83 and 85, as herein illustrated, are made of heavy metal pipe or tubing and comprise portions of continuous, formed members having laterally directed, horizontal portions 87 and S8 respectively at their upper ends which are disposed against the rearwardly directed surface of the I-beam web. The continuous members also have rearwardly converging arms 89 and 90 forming brace means the distal ends of which have laterally directed portions 89 and 90 respectively. The portions 89 and 90 project inwardly toward each other, and each one supports the rearwardly directed end of one of the beams 86. The beams 86 are secured to the portions 89 and 96 by U-bolts 91 and to the upper flanges of the I-beam 81 by nut and bolt assemblies 92. The legs 82 and 84, also made of heavy metal pipe or tubing, have horizontally directed portions 93 and 94 which are disposed against the forwardly directed surface of the web of the I-beam 81. Said I-beam and the horizontal portions 87493 and 88-94 are rigidly connected together by nut and bolt assemblies 95 as shown in detail in FIG. 12. By referring to both FIGS. 9 and l1 it will be noted that the legs 82-83 and 84-85 diverge downwardly both as seen in side plan view and in front view.

The lowermost ends of the legs 82-83 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to an elongated, channel shaped shoe 96 having downwardly directed flanges 96a adap-ted to project into the ground. Similarly, the legs 84-85 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to a shoe 97 having downwardly directed flanges 97a. Spiral stakes 98, which project downwardly through suitable apertures in the shoes 96 and 97, are also provided for the purpose of anchoring the support means to the ground.

The dummy 30 is resiliently mounted adjacent to the forwardly directed end portion of the beams 86 in exactly the same manner as in the first embodiment of the invention. A modified arm 100 is provided for carrying the backup plate 46, said modified arm being similar to the arm 40 except that it is not provided with an upper extension as shown at 44 in the first embodiment and it has an extension bar 101 which is slightly longer than the bar 42. Links 50 and 51 are connected to the beams 86, the modified arm 100, and to each other in the same manner and in the same relationship as shown in the first embodiment of the invention. When the dummy 30 of the second embodiment is struck by a charging football player, the backup linkage which carries the backup plate 46 reacts in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the first embodiment; the modified arm 100 swings rearwardly about the bolt 36, the knee joint at the nut and bolt assembly 55 breaks upwardly, the link 50 pivots clockwise about the nut and bolt assembly 52, and the link S1 pivots counterciockwise about the pivot pin 54 (as seen in FIG. 9).

In the second embodiment of the invention, the follow-through resistance is Iprovided by the weight of the linkage alone and its normal resistance to folding upwardly. This follow-through resistance may be adjusted simultaneously with the adjustment of the initial resistance by moving the pivot pin 54 upwardly or downwardly to different pairs of apertures 162 provided in the modified arm 100 and corresponding to the apertures S3 in the arm 40. However, added follow-through resistance may be provided in the second embodiment by attaching extension means 103, shown in broken line in FIG. 9, to the rearwardly directed end portions of the beams 86. Such extension provides anchor means for a return spring 104, also shown in broken line. In the second embodiment of the invention, the return of the linkage to its normal, unactuated position is effected by gravity and the natural tendency of the linkage to hang downwardly, in the absence, of course, of the spring 194.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the backup plate 46 in the second embodiment of the invention may be moved to a park or ineffective position if desired by pivoting the modified arm 100 upwardly between the beams S6 until one of the pairs of apertures 102 is disposed above the upper flanges of said beams. By inserting a pin 105 through a pair of apertures 192 and bringing it across the spaced beams 36, the entire linkage and backup plate may be moved completely away from the dummy 30 and held in such out of the way position. 'Dhe backup plate 46 is thereby disposed just below the beams S6 where it will not be struck by the dummy and will not be in the way of a football player maneuvering beneath the support means. If desired, said backup plate may be completely removed in the park position by rst removing the pivot pin 48. This park position of the backup linkage is useful when it is desired by the coach or the players to have a completely free swinging tackling dummy.

The suspension apparatus of the second embodiment affords a supporting frame which is particularly adapted for use with the arrangement of tackling dummy attachment and backup linkage herein desclosed. The force created by a player striking the dummy is transferred to the supporting frame at the nut and bolt assembly 52 at an oblique angle combining both rearward and upward components. The rearward thrust would normally tend to tilt the frame backwardly from the top, and the upward thrust, bein-g displaced rearwardly at the rearmost end of the beams 86, would normally tend to tilt the frame forwardly from the top. In practice it has been found that these two components of force substantially cancel each other out with the result that the frame remains stable.

It will be understood that the above disclosure and accompanying illustrations of the second embodiment are not intended as a limitation on the length of the I-beam 81 or the number of tackling dummies which may be suspended by a single one of said I-beams.

It will also be understood that many changes in the details of this invention as herein described and illustrated may be made without, however, departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus comprising an upright frame; elevated boom means carried by said frame; Imeans carried adjacent to one end of said boom means for suspending a tackling dummy therefrom; an arm pivoted at one end thereof to said boom means rearwardly of said second mentioned means and projecting generally downwardly i-n its normal position; a means carried by the lower end of said arm normally adjacent to a dummy suspended from said second mentioned means; said third mentioned means affording surface portions against which t-he dummy is driven when said dummy is struck from the opposite side the-reof; and resistance means carried by said boom means rearwardly of and connected to said arm and yieldably resisting swinging movement of said arm and the dummy in a rearward direction.

2. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus as set forth in claim 1; said resistance means comprising a first link pivoted at one end thereof to said boom means rearwardly of said arm; a second link pivoted at one end thereof adjacent to the lower end lof said arm; means pivoting the opposite end of said iirst link to said second link; means maintaining said links at a lsmall acute angle in their normal posit-ions relative to each other and preventing their relative pivotal movement except in the direction to increase their angularity whereby when said dummy is suddenly moved in a rearward direction, said links afford an initial substantial resistance to rearward movement 4of said arm until the langularity of said links has substantially increased.

3. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus as set forth in claim 2; including resilient return means connected to one of said links and urging said links and said arm toward their normal positions.

4. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus as set forth in claim 3; including shock absorber means connected to said arm and cushioning the return movement of said links and said arm to their normal positions.

5. Football practice and conditioning apparatus comprising support means; elevated beam means carried by said support means; a tackling dummy suspended from a forward end of said beam means; a backup member disposed against a rearwardly ldirected surface portion of said dummy; linkage movably connecting said member to said beam means rearwardly of said dummy; said linkage comprising an arm pivoted at one end thereof to said beam mean-s adjacent to said dummy and extending generally downwardly, a iirst link pivoted at one end thereof to said beam means a substantial distance rearwardly of said dummy, an-d a second link pivoted at one end thereof adjacent to the lower end of said arm; means pivotally connecting the other end of said first link to said second link to form a knee joint whereby said links extend obliquely downwardly and forwardly; means maintaining said knee joint slightly bent in its normal position whereby it can break in .an upward direction only; and said member carried at the lowermost end of said arm whereby when said dummy is suddenly moved rearwardly, said knee joint provides substantial momentary resistance to such rearward movement until said knee joint breaks upwardly.

6. Football practice and conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 5; including audible signal means mounted to said apparatus adjacent to said linkage and adapted to be actuated by movement of a movable portion of said linkage when said dummy is struck in a predetermined manner.

7. Football practice and conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 5; said arm having means for adjustably moving the pivot point lof said second link upwardly along said arm to decrease the vertical distance lbetween said pivot point and said knee joint thereby increasing the resistance of said knee joint .to breaking.

8. Football practice and conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim S; said -arm and said first link being loosely pivoted to said beam means in such manner as t-o afford lateral movement of said linkage whereby when said dummy is suddenly moved obliquely rearwardly by a player, said dummy will -tend to be rolled away from the player.

9. Football practice and conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 5; said second link being of such length as to overlap said iirst link and extend upwardly and rearwardly above and :beyond said rst link; and resilient return means connected to the distal end of said second link and normally urging said second link tow-ard said first link whereby said knee joint is biased toward a straightened position.

lil. Football practice and conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 9; including 4adjustment means carried by one -of said links for optionally increasing or decreasing the bend in said knee joint t-o respectively decrease or increase said momentary resistance.

il. Football practice and conditioning apparatus as set forth in claim 9; including shook absorber means connected to said arm for cushioning return movement of said linkage to its normal position.

12. Football practice and conditioning -apparatus comprising an upright frame; a pair of elevated, spaced, parallel beams fixed to said frame and cantilevered forwardly therefrom; a tackling Idummy resiliently .suspended from the forward end portions of said beams; an arcuate backup plate nested against a rearwardly directed surface portion of said dummy; linkage movably connecting said plate to said beams rearwardly -of said dummy; said linkage comprising an arm pivoted at one end thereof between said beams adjacent to said dummy and extending generally downwardly, a first, U-shaped link pivoted at one end thereof between said beams a substantial distance rearwardly of said dummy, and a second link pivoted at one end thereof adjacent to the lower end of said arm; said second link being generally nested within said first link and extending beyond and above the pivoted end of said iirst link above said beams; means pivotally connecting the other end of said first link to a medial portion of said second link and forming a straightened knee joint, said knee joint being slightly bent in its normal position whereby it can break in an upward direction only; said plate pivotally carried at the lowermost end of said a-rm; spring return means connected at one end thereof to the distal end of said second link and at the other end thereof to at least one of said beams rearwardly of said linkage and biasing said links toward a nested condition whereby when said dummy is suddenly moved rearwardly, said straightened knee joint provides substantial resistance to the initial movement of said dummy before said knee joint breaks, and said return spring affords a lesser, followthrough resistance to continued movement of said dummy in the same direction after said knee joint breaks.

13. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed, laterally directed support member; horizontal beam means carried by said member perpendicular to said member and having portions projecting forwardly and rearwardly beyond said member; leg means carried at each end iof said member; generally rearwardly projecting brace means carried by said member and engaging said rearwardly projecting portion of said beam means; attachment means for suspending a tackling dummy carried adjacent to the forward end of said` beam means; and resistance means for backing up a suspended dummy, said resistance means depending from said beam means rearwardly of said attachment means and adapted to transfer a rearwardly directed force applied to a suspended tackling dummy rearwardly and upwardly to said beam means at a point substantially rearwardly displaced from said support member.

14. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed, laterally directed support member; horizontal beam means carried by said member perpendicular to said member with a relatively short portion of said beam means projecting forwardly of said member and a relatively long portion thereof projecting rearwardly of said member; a pair of .generally downwardly directed and forwardly and rearwardly diverging legs carried at each end of said member; said pairs of legs diverging laterally and downwardly from each other; generally rearwardly projecting, V-shaped brace means carried by said member with the apex of the V engaging said long portion of said beam means substantially rearwardly of said member; attachment means for suspending a tackling dummy carried by said short portion of said beam means; and resistance means for backing up a suspended dummy, said resistance means depending from said beam means rearwardly of said attachent means and adapted to resolve a rearwardly directed force applied to a suspended tackling dummy into rearwardly and upwardly directed components effective at a point on said beam means which is substantially rearwardly displaced from said support member.

15. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus comprising an elongated, horizontally disposed, laterally directed support mem-ber; horizontal beam means carried intermediate the ends of said member perpendicular to said member with a portion of said beam means projecting forwardly lof said member and a relatively longer portion thereof projecting rearwardly of said member; a pair of downwardly diverging legs lcarried at each end of said member; each said pair of legs being directed obliquely outwardly whereby their lower ends are disposed laterally beyond the ends of said member; the lower ends of each said pair of legs being rigidly mounted upon a d-ownwardly open, channel shaped shoe; one leg of each said pair 'being a portion of a continuous member comprising a horizontal portion disposed adjacent to the upper end of said leg which is parallel with and secured to an end portion of said support member and an obliquely rearwardly directed arm convergently cooperant with the arm of the other continuous member -shaped brace means;

ly directed portion of said beam means for suspending a tackling dummy therefrom; an arm pivoted at one end thereof to said beam means rearwardly of said attachment means and projecting generally downwardly in its normal position; a member carried by the lower end of said arm adjacent to a dummy suspended from said attachment means; said last mentioned member affording surface portions against which the `dummy is driven when said dummy is struck from the opposite side thereof; and resistance means carried by said `beam means rearwardly of and connected to said arm and yieldably resisting swinging movement of said arm and the dummy in a rearward direction.

16. A tackling dummy suspension apparatus comprising an upright frame; elevated boom means carried by said frame; said boom means having means defining a vertical opening therethrough adjacent to one end Iof said boom means; coil spring means disposed in axial alignment with and above said 'opening and resting on said boom means; an elongated rod projecting downwardly through said .spring means and said opening, said rod being loosely tiltable with respect to said opening; means carried by the lower end of said rod for receiving the attachment means -of a tackling dummy; means projecting laterally from said rod for overlapping the upper end Iof said spring means whereby the weight of a tackling dummy carried by said suspension apparatus is supported by .said spring means under compression; an arm pivoted at one end thereof to said boom means rearwardly of said opening, said arm projecting .generally downwardly in its normal position; means carried by the lower end of said arm normally disposed adjacent to a dummy suspended by said rod; said last mentioned means affording surface portions against which the dummy is driven when said dummy is struck from the opposite side thereof; and resistance means carried by said boom means rearwardly of and connected to said arm and yieldably resisting swinging movement of said arm and the dummy in a rearward direction.

17. Football practice and conditioning apparatus comprising an upright frame including at least one elevated top member; a tackling dummy suspended from said member; yieldable resistance means carried by said member and disposed 4behind said tackling dummy including a force-transmitting member connected between said dummy and a point on said top member which is substantially rearwardly -displaced from said tackling dummy and adapted to resolve .a rearwardly ydirected force applied to said suspended tackling dummy into rearwardly and upwardly directed components effective at said rearwardly spaced point, whereby rearward thrust from a blow against the front of said dummy which would normally tend to tilt said frame top member backward is counterbalanced Iby said force transmitted to said rearwardly displaced point tending to tilt said frame top member forward.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,602,666 7/1952 Burke et al 273-55 2,620,188 10/1952 Malagio 273-55 2,913,245 -11/1959 Landis 273 55 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. G. L. PRICE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TACKING DUMMY SUSPENSION APPARATUS COMPRISING AN UPRIGHT FRAME; ELEVATED BOOM MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME; MEANS CARRIED ADJACENT TO ONE END OF SAID BOOM MEANS FOR SUSPENDING A TACKING DUMMY THEREFROM; AN ARM PIVOTED AT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID BOOM MEANS REARWARDLY OF SAID SECOND MENTIONED MEANS AND PROJECTING GENERALLY DOWNWARDLY IN ITS NORMAL POSITION; A MEANS CARRIED BY THE LOWER END OF SAID ARM NORMALLLY ADJACENT TO A DUMMY SUSPENDED FROM SAID SECOND MENTIONED MEANS; SAID THIRD MENTIONED MEANS AFFORDING SURFACE PORTIONS AGAINST WHICH THE DUMMY IS DRIVEN WHEN SAID DUMMY IS STRUCK FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE THEREOF; AND RESISTANCE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BOOM MEANS REARWARDLY OF AND CONNECTED TO SAID ARM AND YIELDALBY RESISTING SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID ARM AND THE DUMMY IN A REARWARD DIRECTION. 